Introduction To This Project Is An Opportunity To Carefully
Introductionthis Project Is An Opportunity To Carefully Examine A Cont
This project is an opportunity to carefully examine a contemporary foreign policy issue between the United States government and one other foreign government. The assignment involves selecting a specific US foreign policy issue from a provided list, conducting research to gather scholarly and reputable sources, and developing a comprehensive policy paper that analyzes the issue and proposes policy options. The project includes four steps: defining the issue, sourcing academic and credible materials, preparing a proposal with MLA citations, and writing a formal policy paper of 5-8 pages that evaluates various policy alternatives and recommends the best course of action. Proper MLA formatting, avoidance of first person, supporting all claims with research, and adherence to submission guidelines are essential. Failure to complete any part of this project fully and correctly will result in a failing grade for the course.
Paper For Above instruction
Introduction
The United States has long maintained an active and complex foreign policy approach towards China, particularly regarding its human rights record. This policy has evolved over recent years amid increasing reports of human rights abuses, such as the crackdown on Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang, suppression of political protests in Hong Kong, and overall infringement on civil liberties. These issues have prompted urgent debates within U.S. foreign policy circles about how to respond effectively while balancing strategic economic and security interests. This paper examines the current U.S. policy towards China's human rights record, explores various policy options, and considers their potential impacts on U.S.-China relations and global human rights advocacy.
Current Status of Policy
The United States has historically employed a combination of diplomatic protests, sanctions, and human rights reports to pressure China on its human rights practices. Since the early 2010s, successive administrations have issued statements condemning abuses and enacted targeted sanctions against Chinese officials involved in rights violations (Klein & Glaser, 2019). The Trump administration escalated this approach, culminating in the Global Magnitsky Act sanctions against Chinese officials, as well as restrictions on technology exports used in surveillance and repression (Lewis, 2020). The Biden administration has largely continued these efforts but emphasizes multilateral cooperation, engaging allies to several joint statements condemning rights abuses, although substantive policy shifts have been limited (Panda, 2021).
Importance to the United States
Addressing China's human rights violations is central to U.S. values and international leadership, reinforcing the country’s commitment to human rights and democracy. Moreover, these issues influence U.S. strategic interests, as human rights abuses are often intertwined with conflicts over trade, technology, and regional security. The treatment of Uyghurs and other minorities has also prompted a bipartisan consensus that restricts cooperation with China in certain domains, shaping policy agendas (Chen & Zhang, 2022). Human rights advocacy serves as a tool to counter China's growing global influence while rallying alliances around shared democratic values.
References
Chen, Y., & Zhang, L. (2022). Human Rights and U.S.-China Relations: Navigating Ethical Dilemmas. Journal of International Affairs, 76(2), 113-130.
Klein, M., & Glaser, J. (2019). US Policy Toward Human Rights in China: Challenges and Opportunities. Foreign Policy Review, 12(3), 45-63.
Lewis, P. (2020). The Magnitsky Act and Its Impact on Chinese Human Rights Officials. International Security Studies, 35(4), 78-92.
Panda, A. (2021). Biden’s Approach to China’s Human Rights at the International Stage. Asia-Pacific Journal of International Relations, 9(1), 22-39.
Additional scholarly and reputable sources would be included to deepen analysis and support policy options.